Cherry Valley’s David Nord to be Dixon’s first administrator

DIXON — In the wake of the largest case of fraud in Illinois history, Dixon officials plan to hire former Cherry Valley administrator David Nord to manage daily operations of the city.

Nord has reached a tentative contract with the city. By law, the contract will be posted for seven days starting Monday, before the City Council votes to approve the hire.

Nord will begin his tenure as Dixon tries to move on from former comptroller Rita Crundwell’s $53.7 million embezzlement scandal.

The move to an administrator model of government was necessary even before the depths of Crundwell’s scam came to light, Mayor Jim Burke said.

“I don’t see how a community can get by without someone overseeing everything,” Burke said. “There are so many issues, whether it’s dealing with employees or economic development that you need someone to be here full time.”

Nord spent more than two decades as village administrator of Cherry Valley before quietly and suddenly leaving in May.